Usually,
counselling requires a weekly one hour session. Any less frequently
than this is likely to result in momentum and/or continuity being
lost. More frequently than once a week is usually too much as it
doesn’t allow time for the client to reflect on what has been
discussed.

Often,
once progress is being made, then sessions can be held less
frequently. This can be at the suggestion of either the client or
the counsellor.

Every
client is unique and there is no blueprint or standard procedure
for what methods and/or techniques ought to be adopted. In very
broad terms, there are five major methods as described as
follows:-

Person Centred
Counselling

This
therapy is based on the idea that a client enters into a
relationship with a counsellor where the client is allowed to
freely express any emotions and feelings.

This
enables the client to come to terms with the negative feelings that
may have caused emotional problems, and develop personal skills.
The objective is for the client to become able to see themselves as
a person with power and freedom to change.

Psychodynamic
Counselling

This
approach stresses the importance of the unconscious and past
experience in shaping current behaviour. The client is encouraged
to talk with their therapist about childhood relationships with
parents and other significant people, and the therapist focuses on
the dynamics of the client/therapist relationship.

‘Transference’; when the client projects their
feelings experienced in previous significant relationships on to
the therapist, is a method used in this type of
therapy. The psychodynamic approach is
derived from psychoanalysis, but usually provides a quicker
solution to emotional problems.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
(CBT)

This type
of therapy combines cognitive and behavioural techniques. Clients
are taught ways to change thoughts and expectations, with the use
of relaxation techniques. CBT has been effective for
stress-related ailments, phobias, obsessions, eating disorders, and
major depression.

Solution Focussed Brief
Therapy

This type
of therapy promotes positive change and aims to move the client on
from dwelling on past problems. Clients are encouraged to
focus positively on what they do well, to set goals and work out
how to achieve them. As little as three or four sessions may
be beneficial.

Transactional Analysis

Transactional Analysis is a comprehensive
approach which incorporates aspects of humanistic,
cognitive-behavioural and psychodynamic approaches to therapy. TA
therapists categorise the human personality into three aspects –
Parent, Adult and Child (called ego states) and they use this model
to help clients understand how they interact with others. This can
be particularly helpful in understanding what may be behind
difficult or challenging relationships such as with a partner or
work colleague/manager.

How much does it
cost?

My
standard rate for a full 1 hour (60 minutes) session is
£30.00

How many sessions will I
need?

Therapy
can be just a few sessions and sometimes even one session may be
enough. It may continue over several weeks or months. This depends
on your individual situation. I would discuss this with you before
and during your course of therapy.

Ultimately, there is no commitment beyond the
next session whether the next session is your first or fifty-first.
As the client, you are free to end your counselling, for whatever
reason, whenever you decide. The desired outcome is always that a
point is reached in the therapy when the counsellor proposes an
“ending”, possibly after a period of less frequently held
sessions.

What information will I have to
share?

It is
your choice what you reveal to the counsellor; however it may be
helpful to give an idea of what has brought you to therapy to
enable the process to be effective.

What happens if I miss a
session?

If you are able to give me 24 hours notice of your cancellation, I
will not charge you for the appointment and will do my best to
offer you an alternative slot that week. If you are unable to give
me 24 hours notice of the cancellation then I reserve the right to
charge for the appointment.

How do I get started?

If you wish to make an appointment then I will endeavour to arrange
one at a time and on a date that is suitable to you.

However, I would recommend that
in the first instance we arrange a consultation session where we
can find out more about each other, and for you to see whether my
style of counselling feels right for you. This session lasts for 30
minutes and is free of charge and obligation.